Sacramento, Cali-­‐based duo The Pinder Brothers are renowned for their songwriting and instrumental savvy, and have been compared to the likes of Crosby, Stills & Nash and Simon & Garfunkel. But there’s so much more to their story: The guys are sons of rock legend Mike Pinder, one of the founding members of The Moody Blues.

But bros Michael and Matt are making their own kind of magic, via recently released album “Melancholy Sea.” The 11-­‐track collection—which offers keen observations on the serenity of our world—provides a showcase of the duo’s sing-­‐along pop melodies, alongside enough pulsating guitars to add the bite of alternative rock to their signature.

Highlighted by emphasis single “Pale December,” The Pinder Brothers offer an anthemic tome to the well-­‐tread notion that on December 21, 2012, the world would cease to exist. Driven by the beautiful timbre of lead Michael, the song opens ever so gently, with plucky acoustic guitars and a casual cascade of percussion, as he sings, “If the earth were to crumble away from under our feet/I would not stumble, I’d lift you up and take you with me/If the sun were an ember, the stars would come out and shine for you and I.”

As the overall message begins to hit home, the track’s urgency grows, evolving into a cacophony of Green Day-­‐worthy electric instruments and amped tempo... before again embracing its ultimate mandate that... whatever happens, we shall remain a singular force field.

Accompanied by a simplistic but lovely video clip on YouTube, The Pinder Brothers have delivered their best bid for mass-­‐appeal to date. Their legions of fans already get it. Next in line: hello, radio?

Chuck Taylor is an award-­winning Arts & Entertainment journalist and Grammy voter, whose credentials over the past three decades include 14 years as a Senior Writer, Editor & Single Reviews Editor with Billboard magazine.